Ashland FFA Alumni set annual Toy Show Dec. 17

Jarred Opatz Published: December 9, 2006 12:00 AM

By JARRED OPATZT-G Special Projects EditorWhen he came up with the idea of a toy show for a fund-raiser, Rich Shoup never thought it would last as long as it has.Sunday, Dec. 17, will be the 18th year for the Ashland FFA Alumni Toy Show, which will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ashland High School with all kinds of toy tractors, other farm toys and non-farm collectibles, such as NASCAR items."I thought it would last two or three years and that would be the end of it," said Shoup, who organizes the annual fund-raiser for the Ashland FFA Alumni organization. "I never thought I would still be doing it after 18 years."If he didn't enjoy it, Shoup said he wouldn't have remained the organizer of it for so long. He said all the help he receives from family, Ashland FFA alumni and Ashland FFA members makes it enjoyable, too.Shoup suggested the idea during an Ashland FFA brainstorming session. As an avid collector of toy tractors, he had been to many toy shows.Shoup said it has been a good fund-raiser for the Ashland FFA Alumni, which uses the money to help Ashland FFA members in many ways, including helping send them to state and national conventions."It brings in a lot of people from all over the state and some from out-of-state," Shoup said. "Not only are some of the dealers from out-of-state, but I've talked to some people who have come to the show from surrounding states like Indiana and West Virginia."Most years, there are 30 dealers and between 800 and 1,000 people who attend.Admission to the event is $1 per person with anyone 12 years old and younger getting in free."A lot of toy shows have gone to $2," Shoup said. "We talked about $2 for admission, but decided to stay at $1. We figured we would get more people at $1 than $2."Besides money from admission and charging dealers $12 for a table, money at the event is raised through a snack bar, which includes sandwiches and homemade pies, that Shoup's wife organizes with help from between 12 to 20 alumni and Shoup's mom and one of his sisters, who both make the homemade pies.For the past seven or eight years, FFA members have sold popcorn.Dave Snyder, Ashland FFA adviser, has said in years past that what he likes about the annual event is that it brings people together, particularly Ashland FFA members and Ashland FFA Alumni members who work well together on the show.It's also a good family event."A lot of families come to it, most are families," Shoup said. "The kids like to see the toys and point them out to their parents."n Jarred Opatz can be reached at 419-281-0581, ext. 256, or by e-mail at jopatz@times-gazette.com, regarding this story and other story ideas.